achja's Blog
King walk madness in May
My king was stopped from going forward by the other king but it was perfect
The Scandi d pawn of white.
In the Scandi the white d pawn can be a target for black but sometimes an asset for white.
Sharing two chess compositions I enjoyed this week
First the diagrams, then some comments
Modern defense - h and a pawn push game - and how black can play better
In the past I have tried this h pawn push idea several times, but if black responds properly this ca…
Book review : The Life & Games of Akiva Rubinstein. Volume 2 : The Later Years
by John Donaldson and Nikolay Minev. 2nd Edition, Revised and Enlarged (Russell Enterprises 2011)
A closer look at a stunning Greek gift novelty from Nepo
In May 2016 GM Nepomniachtchi uncorked a surprise Greek gift sacrifice in a team game versus GM Sjug…
My most fun game today, September 15, 2023
A 3 0 blitz game I played in the post Summer sunlight
Training suggestions for U1500 players - part 2
To improve your chess you may benefit from these hints
A peek at a few games from Sants Open 2023
Three times a moment in the opening of GM versus untitled games
How to un-bullet your chess life - for U2000
Playing too fast, with superficial chess moves and not improving ?
Tactics from the World Cup women 2023
Some tactics collected from games dowloaded
When Bobby Fischer learned from Erwin Nievergelt
In Zurich 1959 Bobby Fischer played in a chess tourney where the legend Paul Keres almost lost again…
Echoes from the past : puzzle solving with a little help from David Bronstein
Trying to solve a puzzle today and having a difficult time. Then suddenly a flash from the past, and…
Training suggestions for U1500 players - part 1
To improve your chess you may benefit from these hints
My best tactical game in 2021
Features an uncommon double rook sacrifice
Personal update July 2023
A few new things regarding chess
Learning from Botvinnik - Donner, 1963
Today I played a game which made me think of this game.
An early g4 in a GM game
This week I read that GM Liam Vrolijk had won a tourney in Spain, and I checked several of his games…
Challenge : improve on a GM game (2)
The GM playing white here missed an epic chance. Can you spot it ?
Challenge : improve on a GM game (1)
Can you spot the win ?
A remarkable game from GM Simen Agdestein from the Norwegian championship 2023
The 56 year old GM won the Norwegian championship for the ninth time. One game in the spotlight.
Games from GM Viktor Korchnoi
From the 1977 biography by Korchnoi
Harry, my friend
Remember a few years ago that sacrificing your h pawn after having castled short became topical in s…